Full-time Registered Dietitian

Lexington Regional Health Center

Title: Registered Dietitian

Effective Date: October 24, 2021

Supervisor: Chief Operating Officer

Department: Dietary

FLSA Status: Exempt

Principle duties and responsibilities

• Coordinates all phases of nutrition care including nutrition assessment, care planning, monitoring, education and counseling of hospitalized patients. Provides nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy integrated with the patient's medical goals. Evaluates, interprets, monitors and documents the nutritional status and nutritional needs of hospitalized patients in a timely manner and by using established standards of care and practice guidelines.
• Assures patient diet orders are appropriate. Approves and changes patient menus as needed to meet specific nutritional needs. Visits patients during rounding to evaluate the quality of food served, obtains food preferences and discusses any diet restrictions.
• Coordinates all phases of nutrition care including nutrition assessment, care planning, monitoring, education and counseling of outpatients using established standards of care and practice guidelines.
• Provides nutrition education to outpatients enrolled in the Medically Managed Program (MMP).
• Coordinates weight management programs for hospital employees and community members.
• Provides nutrition education to outpatients in the diabetes self management program. Accurately documents visits and statistics, as well as maintains 15 hours of diabetes continuing education per year to maintain ADA accreditation.
• Provides educational in-services and lunch and learn presentations to hospital staff and community to increase knowledge of nutrition and wellness.
• Develops, reviews, updates and implements educational materials to meet the needs of patients and professionals.
• Consults with Dietary Manager in directing the planning, organizing, developing and overall operation of the Dietary department which provides dietary services for all patient care activities of the hospital. Coordinates all dietary records, policies, and practices as required by federal and state law and by regulatory agencies and commissions.
• Assures the authority, responsibility, and accountability of directing the food service department and departmental compliance with Quality Management (QM) and accreditation standards. Develops overall QM program for the dietary department and submits quality reports as necessary.
• Performs sanitation checks and other quality tasks in the dietary department. Coordinates with Dietary Manager to lead monthly department meetings.
• Presents educational presentations to community groups to increase knowledge of nutrition and wellness.
• Ensure patients and visitors follow current infection control guidelines.
• Participates in patient care activities that could include blood exposure and risk to bloodborne pathogens.
• Responsible for ensuring the environment meets appropriate governing body standards.
• Serves on various committees as assigned.
• Assumes role and responsibility of Dietary Manager.
• Maintains patient and staff safety through the use of patient safety tools (Teamstepps, Just Culture, etc.).
• Regular attendance at the assigned work location is required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of nutrition and dietary management in order to provide nutritional care to patients as is typically acquired through the completion of an accredited dietetics program which includes a Bachelor of Science degree or higher and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) approved dietetic internship program.
• Must have RD credentials acquired by passing the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam. Must have current Medical Nutrition Therapy license for the State of Nebraska. Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics preferable.
• Ability to assess nutritional status of pediatric/adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients and prescribe and plan appropriate nutritional care as is typically acquired through two years experience as a clinical dietitian.
• Basic Life Support certification via American Heart Association required within six months of hire.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills necessary to converse in an effective and positive manner with patients, hospital employees, physicians, visitors and the community. Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to protected and sensitive information.
• Ability to complete reports and correspondence at a professional level.
• Ability to immediately respond to common inquiries and complaints from patients, employees and regulatory agencies.
• Successful completion of required knowledge and training of standard precaution and transmission protocols and when to apply during principle duties and responsibilities.

Working conditions

• Works in a normal office work environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature, etc.
• Spends 50% of shift sitting for desk work, and the other 50% of shift completing patient care, such as patient education in hospital rooms. Inpatient consultations are in patient rooms, which require ambulating up to 300 feet from office to room and furthest ambulation distance of 500 feet for navigating facility. Assists with patient transportation in wheelchairs as necessary requiring 40 horizontal force pounds of up to 100 feet. Travels frequently for community outreach, speaking, and educational engagements. Transports own supplies while travelling, with a box weighing up to 25 pounds, transporting approximately 100 feet to/from facility. Office work requires lifting up to 6 pounds from 4 inch to 81 inch high storage. Assists with Medical Management Program to help provide education. In emergency situations, required to transfer to floor for assisting patients.
• Exposure to chemicals and other hazards related to patient care. Appropriate safety precautions, such as safety glasses, gloves, etc. must be used to minimize risk of injury.
• Direct exposure to body substances during patient care activities and on contaminated surfaces such as patient equipment.

Management responsibilities

• Dietary Manager

Job description statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job title. They are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.